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MURRAY, Ky. (AP) - Murray State University has created its first scholarship specifically designed to support veteran students.

The Paducah Sun reports (https://bit.ly/1Ew5oeW ) the scholarship, named Operation Graduation, will become available starting with the fall 2016 semester and will help recipients offset the cost of textbooks.

Chris Jeter, assistant registrar for Veterans Affairs, says some veterans receive financial assistance for textbooks depending on their G.I. Bill benefits, but it rarely covers the full cost. He says every student who is a veteran will be eligible to apply for the scholarship once it begins.

“It was definitely something they were looking for,” Jeter said. “If I’ve had one, I’ve had a hundred phone calls from students wondering if there is anything that Murray offers specifically for veterans. Unfortunately, at the time I had to tell them no.”

Operation Graduation is another step for Murray State as it continues to build a veteran-friendly campus. For 2015, USNews.com placed the university sixth on its list of Best Colleges for Veterans-South region.

Jeter said it’s a little disappointing that the scholarship won’t be available sooner, but that might help.

“I think it’s a blessing in disguise. It’s going to give us time to get information out there, to start cultivating relationships and bring in the community,” he said. “Once we get that strong base, then hopefully we can make sure this is something that is sustainable.”